Photo credits: Ashwin Tanjore.
Monaco is the epitome of luxury—a principality where casinos, sleek sports cars, gourmet restaurants, and gleaming yachts define daily life. For those seeking a glimpse of a fairytale existence, this Mediterranean enclave feels like stepping into a cinematic dream. Yet, beyond its opulent veneer, Monaco has emerged as a global hub for sport, where athletic prowess is imbued with an elite glamour that captivates athletes and spectators alike.
Tennis, a sport long tied to affluence, finds its pinnacle at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters, one of the ATP Tour’s most prestigious tournaments. Set against the stunning backdrop of the sea and Monaco’s iconic skyline, the event draws a star-studded crowd, lending it a stature rivaling a Grand Slam, even if the ranking points differ. Remarkably, nearly half of the ATP’s Top 10 players call Monaco home, many walking from their apartments to the Monte-Carlo Country Club to compete. Stefanos Tsitsipas, a resident, has claimed the title three times in the past five years. This year, Carlos Alcaraz secured his first Monte-Carlo victory, while Monaco native Romain Arneodo, alongside Manuel Guinard, made history by winning the doubles title—the first triumph for a Monegasque player at this level.
As the tennis stands are dismantled, Monaco prepares for another spectacle: the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Unlike traditional racetracks, this race unfolds on the principality’s narrow city streets, creating one of the world’s most challenging and dangerous circuits. With overtaking nearly impossible, pole position, pit strategy, and the race start are paramount. This year’s event thrilled fans as local hero Charles Leclerc, racing for Ferrari, was joined by Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc finished second, with Hamilton taking fifth, reinforcing Monaco’s motorsport legacy.
Football also holds a storied place here. For 16 years, Monaco hosted the UEFA Super Cup at Stade Louis II, until UEFA began rotating venues. AS Monaco, one of Europe’s top clubs, continues to shine, finishing third in France’s Ligue 1 this season. The principality’s basketball team, AS Monaco, mirrors this success, also placing third in the national championship.
Sport in Monaco is no mere accessory to its luxurious lifestyle—it is a core part of its identity. For the thousands of tourists who flock to these events, and for locals living among world champions, Monaco is a place where you might dine beside a tennis star, share a beach with an F1 driver, or encounter a basketball player at a café. In this glittering enclave, sport is the new luxury.